< Previous40 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HEALTH & FITNESS skating provide a fun and exciting way to stay in shape while enjoying the winter weather. These activities also provide the added benefit of working out multiple muscle groups at once, as well as improving balance and coordination. If you prefer outdoor activities, there are still plenty of options available. Dress warmly in layers, and consider activities such as running, hiking, or cycling. These activities can be done on a treadmill or stationary bike indoors but getting fresh air and the added challenge of the colder weather can provide an added boost to your workout. There are additional benefits to working out outside too. The fresh air increases the levels of oxygen in your system, which boosts serotonin production. Therefore, fresh air genuinely has mood boosting properties. Going for an evening walk after a stressful day at work provides a low-impact workout, whilst helping you to de-stress. In addition to regular exercise, it is important to maintain a healthy diet in order to support your exercise routine. Eating a well-balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can help provide the necessary nutrients to fuel your workouts and aid in recovery. Popular healthy ingredients this time of year include leafy greens such as spinach and kale, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots, and seasonal fruits like citrus and pears. Additionally, lean proteins such as fish and poultry, and plant-based protein sources like beans and lentils are also commonly consumed. Some popular healthy winter food recipes include soups, such as Roasted Root Vegetable Soup. This recipe combines root vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips with aromatics like onion and garlic for a comforting and nourishing soup. For something a little richer, you could try Broccoli and Cheddar Soup. This soup is creamy, hearty, and nutritious, made with broccoli and cheese. For those who want the heartiness of soup without the 43 Á © stock.adobe.com/Nina Lawrenson/peopleimages.comBone Joint Pain or Sports Injuries Our specialist team deliver high quality diagnostics and treatment for Shoulder and Elbow, Hand and Wrist, Spinal, Hip and Knee and Foot and Ankle. For more information and appointments please call: 01733 842 304 or visit: ƄnuqbeebXgaimjbnXe .co.uk Zimnihq]mnaimjbnXe .co.uk 9 Market Place, Brigg, DN20 8ET CALL: 01652 408200 TEXT: 07765 466 901 hollandjames.co.uk Ooooodles of glasses! From understated chíc to flamboyant frames, Holland & James have the widest selection of glasses in the area. Pop in and find your perfect style. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 43 HEALTH & FITNESS © stock.adobe.com/sonyakamoz Choosing the right pair of glasses… Which frame colour suits me best? To find your perfect frame colour you should consider your skin undertone, along with your natural hair colour and eye colour. Eye colours vary widely, but for simplicity, they can be categorized into blue, green, and brown. You can play with contrast or harmony to find the ideal colour. If you want to emphasize the colour of your eyes, then it’s best to opt for a contrasting colour. Skin undertones is the colour beneath the surface of the skin. While your skin tone may change as you tan, your undertone never does. There are two main skin undertones: warm (appears more yellowish under natural light) and cool (appears to have a hint of pink/blue under natural light). When matching skin undertones with frame colours, it is best to aim for harmony. Hair colour although it changes over a lifetime is usually related to skin undertone and falls into two main groups: Matching Frames with Hair and Skin Undertone Dark Hair Shades • Warm undertone - an autumnal palette of warm, rich, and dense colours. Amber tones, from browns to oranges, and reds, beiges, or greens. Also bronze, rose gold, or gold metals. • Cool undertone - a winter colour palette with vibrant colours. Blue, purple, wild berry reds or pinks, as well as classic black and white. Also gunmetal, black, and silver metals. Light Hair Shades • Warm undertone - a spring palette of vibrant colours. Apricot, coral, orange, turquoise, bright mint green, and even deep blue. Also, consider fluorescent colours, light Havana, or gold metals. • Cool undertone - a summer palette of light and soft colours. Antique pink, light blue, water green, or other pastel and dusty colours. Also consider taupe, blue/grey Havana, or silver metals. Remember, there is no right or wrong frame; just the one that makes you look good and feel great! Charlie Holland and Neil James To find your perfect frame visit hollandjames.co.uk/book, call 01652 408200 or pop into the store in Brigg to speak with Charlie or Neil directly. texture, stews are recommended. Slow Cooker Chicken Stew uses lean chicken breast, root vegetables, and herbs like thyme and rosemary for a warm and comforting stew that can be made in a slow cooker. Slow cookers are perfect for those on the go, as they can be left to simmer all day. Allowing ingredients to sit on slow heat also means that they retain far more of their nutrients. As a vegan alternative, lentil and kale stew provides protein and leafy greens, without compromising on the heartiness. For those after something more adventurous, spicy black bean and potato enchiladas provide a Mexican spice, whilst still being full of healthy seasonal ingredients. Finally, just because it is winter, this does not mean salad lovers are left out. For those who love something a little lighter, you could try winter Salad with citrus and pomegranate. This recipe combines seasonal greens, such as spinach or arugula, with fresh citrus fruits, such as oranges or grapefruits, and pomegranate seeds for a refreshing and healthy salad. This would also provide the perfect accompaniment to the enchiladas, giving your meal a powerful superfood punch. Overall, exercising in February can be a challenge, but with a little creativity and determination, it is possible to maintain a regular exercise routine. Whether it’s by finding indoor options, participating in winter sports, or braving the cold weather, staying active is important for overall health and well-being. Remember to dress warmly, stay hydrated, and listen to your body to ensure a safe and effective workout. 44 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FOOD & DINING BREAKFAST A focus on Cheesy Baked Eggs with Pickled Walnuts Serves 2 Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes You’ll need: * 400g Spinach, wilted * Handful Cherry Tomatoes, quartered * 140g Brie * 4 Eggs * 320ml Double Cream * 60g strong, Hard Cheese, grated * Basil leaves, torn * 1/4 jar Pickled Walnuts, drained and sliced What to do: * Preheat the oven to 200ºC (180°C Fan). * Butter a small oven-proof dish and line with wilted spinach then make a well in the bottom. Next, place the quartered cherry tomatoes on top. * Dot the brie around amongst the tomatoes and then add the torn basil leaves. Season with salt and pepper. * Crack the eggs into the centre of the spinach, then pour the double cream over the eggs (try not to break the yolk). Top with the pickled walnut slices. * Sprinkle over the grated cheese and place in the oven for 10 minutes. * Once cooked, leave to stand for a few minutes, then enjoy with some toasted sourdough! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but so many do it half-heartedly. Here are some healthy, simple and tasty options. They can also be had as snacks or meals at other times of the day. FOOD & DINING LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 45 Full English Breakfast Hash Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes Allergens: Gluten, Eggs, Dairy You’ll need: * 450g uncooked hash browns, defrosted * 2 eggs * Salt and pepper, to taste * 1 tbsp vegetable oil * 1 onion, finely diced * 2 tomatoes, diced * 4 rashers of bacon * 2-3 sausages * 50g kale, chopped * 2-3 handfuls of grated Cheddar cheese * 4 eggs * 2-3 Opies Pickled Walnuts, thickly sliced What to do: * Pre-heat the oven to 220°C / 200°C fan / Gas 7 then grease a shallow casserole dish. * Carefully break up the hash browns into a bowl using clean hands so they resemble grated cheese. Add the 2 eggs, season to taste and mix in well. Using your hands, line the casserole dish with the mixture, pushing it down using your fingertips to form a large solid “rosti” type base. Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy. * Meanwhile fry the onion in a little oil until softened, then slice the sausages and dice the bacon and add to the pan. Fry until coloured before adding the kale and cook for a further 5-6 minutes or until the kale has just wilted. * When the hash brown base is ready, remove from the oven and spoon the sausage and bacon mixture on top, followed by the diced tomatoes and grated cheese. Finally crack 4 eggs on top and finish with the pickled walnuts. Place back in the oven for 15 minutes or until the eggs are just cooked and the yolk is still runny. To promote your services call Angie Cooper on 01472 310302 or email: a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk Click’em Inn Swinhope, Nr Binbrook, Market Rasen, LN8 6BS Tel: 01472 398253 Web: www.clickem-inn.co.uk The Click’em Inn is a family-owned freehouse, established for over 30 years in its current incarnation. Steeped in history, the inn is open 6 days a week, Tuesday- Sunday, offering a wide choice of drinks, including six real ales available at any time, with a regularly changing selection of personally recommended guest ales. The Kitchen is open Tuesday-Sunday for evening dining, plus lunchtimes Friday-Sunday. The menu varies from day-to-day with the chef’s specials, alongside regular meals. 46 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Homemade Granola What to do: * Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan) and line a large baking tray with parchment paper. * In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped mixed nuts, mixed seeds, desiccated coconut, and chopped Stem Ginger. Mix well to combine. * In a small saucepan, add the honey or maple syrup, melted coconut oil, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and heat gently over low heat, stirring until well combined. * Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well until evenly coated. * Spread the granola mixture on the prepared baking tray. * Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the granola is golden brown and crispy. * Remove from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the tray. * Once cooled, transfer the Homemade Granola to an airtight container for storage up to 2 weeks. Makes around 720g of granola Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes You’ll need: * 300g Rolled Oats * 100g Mixed Nuts (such as almonds, cashews, and pecans), chopped * 50g Mixed Seeds (such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and flaxseeds) * 50g Desiccated Coconut * 50g Opies Stem Ginger, finely chopped * 4 tablespoons Honey or Maple Syrup * 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil, melted * 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon * Pinch of Salt To serve: * Yoghurt * Opies Black Cherries & KirschFOOD & DINING LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 47 Turkish Eggs Serves 2 Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes You’ll need: * 2 Eggs * 150g Yoghurt * 1 Garlic Clove, crushed * 1/2 Lemon * 30g Butter * 1 tbsp Olive Oil * 1 tsp Chilli Flakes * 2 tbsp Opies Capers What to do: * Mix the yoghurt, garlic and lemon together. Season well and set aside. * Melt the butter in a small frying pan, allowing it to foam and turn brown being careful not to burn it. Once browned, take off the heat and stir in the olive oil and chilli flakes. * Prepare the plates by spooning the yoghurt onto two plates. Poach the eggs and place on top of the yoghurt. Spoon over the butter and then scatter over the Opies Capers and parsley. Serve with lots of bread. Recipes and images courtesy of Opies • www.bennettopie.com / @opiesfoods 48 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY CARING R ecent high-profile studies and journalistic investigations paint the picture of a “dispassionate society” here in the UK, where symptoms of mental illness in older individuals are all too frequently brushed aside as simply being “just your age” and those responsible for their care are underpaid and overworked. People argue that worrying about mental difficulties is for the “woke” and that people just need to be a little more resilient. This discriminatory attitude not only denies the elderly access to essential mental health services but also perpetuates a harmful cycle of prejudice that affects families, communities, and public services alike – and while it’s often aimed at younger people, it can also impact the elderly as well. A new study conducted by the Centre for Mental Health has precipitated several high-profile calls for older generations to receive the same level of concern and attention as their younger counterparts when it comes to mental wellbeing. The report highlights the alarming repercussions of dismissing mental health worries, with it not only affecting the individual’s wellbeing, but also placing unnecessary pressures on the wider community to pick up the slack. This biased treatment has fostered a pervasive sense of pessimism among older individuals, normalizing poor mental health as an inevitable part of aging. Addressing ageist assumptions and expectations regarding mental health in later life is therefore in greater need than ever, especially when coupled with findings from the Resolution Foundation study, which detailed the detrimental effects of mental health issues on education and employment prospects. Such discrimination often renders older people invisible in both mental health Living well mentally Mental wellness may often be trumpeted as a concern of the younger generation, but it’s one faced by our elderly populations as well – and there is much less care for them. © stock.adobe.com/De VisuLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 49 care services and policymaking circles. This invisibility is compounded by the lack of research and policy development specifically tailored to the mental health needs of the elderly. With no national strategy in place to address mental ill health in later life, the need for effective intervention by health and care services becomes increasingly imperative. This becomes especially prescient when considering the increasingly ageing UK population. The charity Age UK has supported the findings, emphasizing that poor mental health in later life is not an inevitable consequence of aging. They added to the report’s conclusions, highlighting the paradoxical nature of mental health support for older individuals, where issues are either under-recognized or dismissed as part of the aging process, leading to a significant portion of the elderly population being deprived of essential mental health care. The report advocates for a multi- faceted approach to tackling ageism in mental health care for the elderly. It calls for prioritized research funding aimed at understanding and addressing mental health issues in later life, as well as for integrated care boards to review and enhance their provision of mental health support for older adults. Additionally, there is a pressing need for staff training to combat ageist attitudes within health and care services. Moreover, the effectiveness of existing frameworks, such as the 2019 Community Mental Health Framework for Adults and Older Adults, should be rigorously evaluated to ensure adequate provision for mental health care in later life. As if to prove this is a UK-wide issue, a recent staff survey has uncovered the precarious state of home care services for Scotland’s elderly and vulnerable populations, indicating that the system is teetering on the brink of collapse. Care workers in Glasgow have sounded the alarm, describing impossible workloads that are taking a toll on their health and well-being. According to the survey, conducted by the GMB Scotland union, more than half of all home carers reported having taken time off due to work-related stress, painting a grim picture of the immense daily pressures. Concerns loom large over potential cuts to the time allocated for providing essential care, with workers fearing that such reductions could jeopardize the safety and well-being of those in need of their services. Mental health is a problem which effects people of all ages, but it can be increasingly hard for older people to recover from it due to lessened mobility, smaller friend groups and less financial support. People in their older years won’t have the freedom or ability to go out and get a job, turning the so-called “golden years” into ones of poverty. If you have family who are getting on in years and who have begun to become withdrawn and quiet, don’t stand by and do nothing. Regular visits, excursions and simply keeping in touch with them can make all the difference. © stock.adobe.com/aLListar/peopleimages.comNext >